Compulsive overeating - causes, consequences, treatment methods

1. What is compulsive overeating
2. Causes of the problem
3. Symptoms of the disorder
4. Consequences
5. Treatment
   Inpatient therapy
6. Is it possible to deal with the problem on your own?
7. Nutritional Features

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Eating disorders affect about 10% of the population. Some diseases, such as anorexia, bulimia, are known and discussed by scientists and doctors around the world. Others, such as compulsive or psychogenic overeating, remain little known and therefore are often not perceived as a dangerous disease. However, compulsive overeating is a mental disorder that requires treatment.

What is compulsive overeating

Binge eating disorder is also known as binge eating disorder, binge eating disorder, and hyperphagic stress response. All of these synonyms describe an eating disorder in which a person eats a lot, which causes excess body weight. As a rule, compulsive overeating is a defensive reaction to various stress factors. A feature of the disorder is the absence of real hunger, and food is necessary in order to drown out emotions.

Unlike bulimia, episodes of exacerbation do not end with vomiting. The disease affects about 2-5% of the population, while 75% of patients are women and adolescents.

Eating disorder: causes and treatment

The article was prepared by psychiatrist Ekaterina Valerievna Karas

Eating disorder (ED) is a series of psychiatric problems associated with disturbances in the process of eating. With such problems, a person’s attitude towards food, physical activity and his physical appearance in general negatively affect his health.

The most common eating disorders include:

• Anorexia is dissatisfaction with appearance associated with existing or perceived obesity. A person strives to change his appearance as much as possible, limiting himself in food, or, in some cases, even giving it up completely.
• Bulimia is an alternation of bouts of overeating followed by getting rid of and “cleansing” food through the use of laxatives, diuretics, vomiting, enemas and other things.
• Compulsive overeating is a binge eating disorder in which a person loses control over the amount of food consumed.
• Orthorexia is an obsessive desire to eat healthy.

These eating disorders are based on self-loathing, dissatisfaction with one’s physical shape and weight, obsessive thoughts that these shortcomings cast a shadow on all areas of life and, ultimately, low mood due to such experiences. Women suffer from eating disorder much more often than men. As a rule, these are teenagers. Often problems go side by side with depression and anxiety.

There is no single reason that causes such problems. Several groups of reasons can be roughly distinguished:

• Genetic. The risk of developing an eating disorder is much higher for those who have family members with a similar problem. According to research, diseases are approximately 60% genetically determined.
• Family. Excessive concentration of parents' attention on the issues of proper nutrition and physical fitness of the child has a strong influence on the development of his eating habits.
• Social. The media and a person’s immediate environment can provoke a decrease in a person’s self-esteem and form a painful relationship with food.
• Traumatic. People who have experienced severe shocks, such as sexual violence, may thus try to prevent a recurrence of what happened in the future.

A person with an eating disorder may initially begin to eat only a little more or less than normal. But at a certain point it gets out of control. The patient does not always realize that he has problems, even when his weight approaches critical levels and his health is in danger. Relatives of such patients most often turn to doctors.

If a patient falls into the hands of doctors in critical condition, when his condition is life-threatening, then urgent hospitalization in a psychiatric or even intensive care unit is necessary. When everything stabilizes, eating disorder treatment begins. First of all, it consists of taking medications (antidepressants, anti-anxiety, sedatives, depending on the symptoms).

However, pills alone are not enough. Long-term psychotherapeutic work is required. Indeed, in order to rid a person of an eating disorder, it is necessary to restore normal body weight, eradicate the psychological causes that cause the problem, and also adjust the patient’s thoughts and attitude towards food intake and his physical form.

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Causes of the problem

Psychogenic overeating is associated with internal and external factors. It is impossible to reliably name the cause of the disorder, but it is known that the trigger may be one or more of the following reasons:

• genetic predisposition, namely the presence of close relatives with a history of obesity or any eating disorder;
• acute or chronic stress (problems at work, school, frequent conflicts in family, friends);
• uncontrollable hunger, following strict diets for an extended period of time;
• dissatisfaction with one's own body;
• emotional instability;
• the presence of endocrine diseases, obesity;
• depressive disorders;
• postoperative recovery.

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Symptoms of the disorder

The severity of the clinical picture depends on the severity of the disease, provoking factors, as well as other situational circumstances. Characteristic signs of compulsive overeating are:

• eating large amounts of food in a short period of time;
• there is a relationship between gluttony and stress factors;
• loss of control over the frequency of food and the method of eating it;
• craving for food in the absence of physiological hunger;
• a person gives preference to “harmful”, unhealthy food, drinks, and sometimes taste does not matter;
• eating food alone, at night, which is associated with the presence of a feeling of shame;
• the appearance of feelings of self-hatred after every meal;
• lack of a sober perception of your body, yourself as a person;
• After attacks, a person can go on a diet, but they are quickly accompanied by breakdowns.

Compulsive overeating: how to fight it? We will help!

Sleep, eating and sexual behavior disorders

Initial appointment with a neurologist: 1850 rub.

• Sleep disturbance
• Anorexia. Bulimia
• Compulsive eating
• Frigidity
• Vaginismus

Today, eating disorders are one of the most common diseases of the 21st century. There are many varieties of such pathologies, but compulsive overeating is the most common diagnosis. An additional portion at the holiday table and night snacks have a negative impact on health and general well-being.

What are the causes of this eating disorder? Stressful situations, the desire to drown out the feeling of melancholy and feel safe, a constant feeling of inferiority are the main factors that provoke such a pathology. A person eats because he feels bad and hopes to find solace in food. As a result of overeating, the individual experiences shame for his behavior. The circle closes. An eating disorder occurs, otherwise known as a hyperphagic stress response. It can lead to various negative consequences, for example, diabetes, bladder diseases, and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

MC "Pulse" will help you forget about what compulsive overeating . The best doctors, proven methods and medications, the latest equipment. We will restore your health, your life will become happy again!

Symptoms of compulsive overeating can vary. The most common are the following:

• eating alone, when depressed;
• eating abnormally large amounts of food in a short period of time;
• the feeling of guilt that comes after a bout of gluttony.

According to statistics, women are more susceptible to this pathology than men. Persons with an initial predisposition to obesity are at risk, regardless of gender or age.

What to do if you notice signs of compulsive overeating? How to deal with this type of eating disorder? Medical specialists know the answer! With the help of modern diagnostic methods and proven methods of therapy, you will be helped to cope with the problem of a hyperphagic reaction to stress. Qualified neurologists select comprehensive treatment programs for patients based on the specific body structure of each individual patient. Don't be afraid of being diagnosed with compulsive overeating disorder. The therapists at the Pulse Clinic know how to deal

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Consequences

Most perceive psychogenic overeating as a harmless addiction to food. However, as the disorder progresses, it leads to mental and physical health problems. The patient constantly experiences feelings of anxiety, fear, restlessness, which causes the development of panic attacks, persecution mania, depressive disorders, anxiety-phobic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Often, a patient begins to fight a severe psycho-emotional state with the help of alcoholic beverages and drugs. This leads to the formation of another severe addiction. Against this background, thoughts of suicide may also appear.

Overeating also negatively affects physical health. Excess body weight, which is inevitable when overeating, causes complications:

• cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease;
• diabetes mellitus, other endocrine pathologies;
• sleep problems;
• stopping breathing during sleep;
• alveolar hypoventilation;
• destruction of bone and muscle tissue due to excess body weight, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity;
• diseases of the stomach, intestines;
• inhibition of fertility, impotence, menstrual irregularities, infertility.

Rarely, poor nutrition, a gradual disruption of the functioning of internal organs can lead to multiple organ failure, disability and death.

A person suffering from psychogenic overeating must remember that food is a means to satisfy hunger, but not emotions.

Treatment

The manifestation of bouts of overeating 2-4 times a week for three or more months suggests that a person suffers from a compulsive disorder. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease is carried out by a psychiatrist, psychologist, as well as somatic specialists. Mandatory during the diagnosis are clinical tests of blood, gastric juice, as well as instrumental studies of the endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. A complete diagnosis allows you to assess the patient’s condition, promptly recognize complications, and take measures to eliminate them.

Inpatient therapy

Treatment of eating disorders is carried out individually based on the patient’s condition and the severity of the disease. Psychotherapy is considered the most effective, namely cognitive behavioral therapy. Work with the patient is carried out using group and individual trainings. During the classes, it is possible to find the cause of pathological cravings for food, assess the psycho-emotional state, cope with existing internal conflicts, regain faith in oneself, find goals in life and learn to realistically evaluate oneself and food.

In severe forms of the disorder, the patient, along with psychotherapy, is prescribed medication, namely antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, tranquilizers, and antidepressants. These groups of drugs help to cope with established mental disorders, causeless fear and anxiety, and normalize the psycho-emotional state. To improve the general condition, vitamin and mineral complexes are used.

In addition to psychotherapy, a mandatory stage of treatment is examination by other specialists, for example, a gastroenterologist, nutritionist, urologist, cardiologist, as well as doctors of other somatic profiles, from whom complications have arisen.

Is it possible to deal with the problem on your own?

With a mild form of compulsive disorder, as well as at the initial stage of its formation, you can cope with the disease at home. Outpatient therapy is based on the following activities:

• eliminate the causes that may provoke an exacerbation of the pathology;
• in stressful situations, try to remain calm and not take everything that happens to heart;
• play sports - physical activity helps to forget negative emotions, improve your psycho-emotional state and cope with excess weight;
• with the help of nutritionists, choose the right, rational diet;
• find a hobby that will bring you pleasure and help you cope with emotional stress;
• take time for self-care;
• do not be categorical about yourself, learn to mobilize energy and direct it in the right direction, and meditation, reading, new acquaintances and active recreation will help with this.

In any large locality there are mutual aid groups where you can seek help, share a problem, find the strength to start fighting a problem, listen to the experience of treating others, and find life goals and priorities. During the treatment of psychogenic overeating, the help and support of relatives and friends is important.

Nutritional Features

In the fight against psychogenic overeating, the patient must work with nutritionists who help restore a conscious attitude towards food, paying attention to the following points:

• adequate daily calorie intake;
• eating 3-5 times a day in small portions;
• the diet should be dominated by fiber, dairy products, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables;
• you need to eat slowly, and while eating it is recommended to pay attention to the taste of foods and their smell;
• It is advisable to boil, steam, stew or bake all products in the oven;
• While eating, you should not read books, watch TV or sit at the computer.

It is also recommended to remove from the house all foods that the patient liked to overeat. This helps reduce disruptions. At first, the nutritionist prepares a menu for the patient every day, which he must strictly follow.

How to treat compulsive overeating

Solving a problem begins with recognizing it and being willing to work on yourself. A therapist or doctors of other specializations will not be able to help with this - they will only work with the consequences: reduce cholesterol levels, correct hormonal imbalances and other consequences.

A psychotherapist will provide effective help with compulsive overeating.

The doctor will teach you to monitor your habits, restrain your desires, solve problems and not “eat” them, enjoy life, and not just food. Working with a psychologist will help you start working on yourself and not lose motivation in the face of difficulties or after a while. In some cases, drug therapy with antidepressants will be required.

Overcoming psychogenic overeating is not easy.
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